HP Unveils iPod Clone August 30, 2004 -- Hewlett-Packard Co. unveiled its own version of the iPod portable music player last Friday, showing the fruits of a partnership it had previously announced with Apple Computer Inc. HP is now taking orders for the player, which it has dubbed the "Apple iPod from HP." The product is a replica of Apple's latest models of the popular white 20-gigabyte and 40-gigabyte iPods -- but carries the HP brand instead. The licensing deal, which was announced last January, is a break from Apple's usual isolationist stance and should help it capitalize on the broad retail reach of HP, the world's largest computer printer maker and second largest PC maker. For HP, working with Apple gives it a quick foothold in the digital music space. The price will be $299 for the 20-gigabyte model, or $399 for the 40-gigabyte model, matching Apple's current prices. The players will be available in early September. The HP-branded iPod will not feature HP's signature blue color as initially planned because it found that the clean white look was important to iPod customers. As part of the deal with Apple, HP has also begun bundling Apple's iTunes jukebox software and iTunes Music Store with all of its computers. HP's upcoming new digital entertainment center -- a hub that stores digital music, photos and videos and hooks up with a home television and stereo system -- will also feature the iTunes software. Also, HP will sell photo labels in which users can choose and print their own art, or select cover art from artists HP has partnered with, such as Sting and Alicia Keys, and wrap the tattoo-like stickers around their iPods for a personal touch. --AP
